Author's Note:The words and phrases in italics are definitions within The Rules of Golf.

	This overhanging tree compromises turf quality and forces the need to mark ground under repair ; however, the marking is inconsistent and opens the door to legitimate complaints from players.

Superintendents are faced with an assortment of challenges in today's golf course maintenance, and they typically do a good job of balancing the demands and expectations. Yet, for most, credibility would be elevated if The Rules of Golf were given full consideration. In addition, fully merging the Rules and course maintenance will improve the final product and serve to properly accommodate players. To these ends, this article identifies the top ten Rules-related mistakes as seen by select USGA staff within the Championship, Regional Affairs, and Green Section departments. Those polled were independently asked, "How would you list and prioritize the top-ten Rules-related mistakes made by superintendents?" Candidly identifying and learning from past mistakes is the best way to avoid repeats in the future.

#10 - TREES AND ROUGH

Although some golfers continue to resist acknowledging that trees (too many and/or poorly positioned) compromise turf health, this is not a gray area - they do. Not only will thin, weak turf directly impact playability, it also opens the door to more serious issues like equipment damage and the effectual marking of ground under repair. In addition, tree roots creeping along or just below the surface are dangerous and may force a player to declare the ball unplayable, which brings a penalty stroke.

While it is important for the rough to inflict some penalty and in so doing reward a ball hit on the fairway or putting green , pace of play and lost balls (stroke and distance) should be carefully considered. The rough height and density should be appropriate for the grass being grown, course/hole design, and the median skill level of players.

#9 - OBSTRUCTIONS

Ruling challenges can occur when adjacent obstructions like this cart path and drainage inlet become an obstruction with bordering casual water following a rainfall.

#8 - LOCAL RULES

Local abnormal conditions may require the Committee to establish Local Rules. Yet The Rules of Golf must not be waived by a Local Rule. Aeration, as an example, is common and necessary for the conditioning of healthy and dependable golf turf. This may bring the need to implement a Local Rule granting relief when a ball is on or in an aeration hole. Implementing the suggested Local Rule (The Rules of Golf, Appendix I, Part B: 3c) is a far better strategy than skipping needed aeration work. Extreme wet weather may suggest value in activating a Local Rule for "preferred lies." The Local Rule for "embedded ball" (Appendix I, Part B: 3a), on the other hand, is always used at USGA Championships, and it is recommended that clubs/courses do likewise for regular play. Stones in bunkers may need to be declared movable obstructions (Appendix I, Part B: 4) to improve player safety and help hold down the operating budget. Power lines, ant hills (certain situations - Decision 33-8/22), and play from wrong putting green collars (Decision 33-8/33) may also point to the proper utilization of Local Rules. Conversely, providing relief without penalty should a player's stroke be interfered with by exposed tree roots is not an authorized Local Rule (Decision 33-8/8) - cut down the problematic trees.

#7 - DIVOT FILLING

On one hand, the unfortunate fate of a ball settling into a divot scar cavity is part of the game. While it may be a bit irritating to hit a ball straight down the fairway and find it in a divot scar, such occurrences will likely balance out and impact all players reasonably the same over a long enough period of time. On the other hand, it is far better to fill divot scars with a mix that improves playability and maximizes recovery growth. The middle ground of doing some and not others or being inconsistent with the process is likely the worst posture. The preference is to fill divot scars on a regular schedule and provide a smooth playing surface. While this applies primarily to fairways and approaches, it's also important on tees for recovery more so than playability; and don't forget ball drops, as a properly dropped ball must be played as it lies. Sand and loose soil (the components of divot filling mixes) are loose impediments on the putting green , but not elsewhere, which means it cannot be removed or smoothed without penalty if doing so would improve the lie of the ball, area of intended stance or swing, or line of play (Rule 13-2). Fill those divot scars completely and smoothly.

#6 - HOLE PLACEMENT, LINERS, AND FLAGSTICK

	Careful thought should be given to hole locations, which includes an evaluation of green speed, hole design, putting surface contour/slope, weather conditions, play volume, and the median skill level of players. Spread the wear around the green, but be fair and sensible.

Decision 16-1c/3 states that a player may attempt to raise or lower an old hole plug to make it level with the surface. Recognizing that the superintendent and maintenance staff are not going to want players attempting such repairs, it's important for the staff to provide a smooth surface that stays smooth throughout the season following a hole change. A high or low hole plug that cannot be readily repaired could result in ground under repair on the putting surface (see Decisions 16-1c/3 and 25/17).

#5 - GREEN MOWING

A player is allowed privileges and also is subject to restrictions on the putting green that don't apply through the green or in hazards . This means that it is very important to accurately determine when a ball is on the putting surface. A ball is on the putting green when any part of it touches the putting green . Mowing must be done frequently enough to provide a clear distinction between the putting green and the adjacent turf, commonly called the collar or approach. Greens are usually mowed daily during the playing season, although it is not unusual for the cleanup passes around the edge to be skipped occasionally in an effort to minimize turf wear and possible thinning. This practice must be closely monitored to ensure that good definition is maintained. Utilizing lighter-weight mowers equipped with solid front rollers to maintain the cleanup passes can aid in minimizing wear while still allowing regular mowing. In the process, the same acual cutting height (not necessarily the same bench setting) should be provided by all putting green mowers to guard uniform playability. The height and mowing frequency of the adjacent turf must be in sync with greens to achieve the desired definition.

#4 - BRUSH AND CLIPPING PILES

Grass clippings and other brush or debris that have been abandoned and are not intended for removal are not ground under repair unless so marked. If the intention is to remove the piles, they are ground under repair , even if not so marked. The question is: Why make someone ask? Remove grass clippings and brush or debris piles immediately. Not only will this eliminate ground under repair status confusion, it will also help reduce the related risk of lost balls and in so doing guard the pace of play. Clippings that are spread in the predominately out-of-play rough or in areas between holes should be spread so that they cannot be found later by the same person who did the original spreading. Even slight clumping should be prevented if the area is in play (inside the out-of-bounds marking).

While there may be times when economics suggest returning clippings during fairway or approach mowing, this can pose a problem. Clippings ( loose impediments ) that adhere to a ball cannot be removed other than on the putting green . As such, when clippings are not caught and removed on fairways and approaches, some type of follow-up cleaning like blowing or dragging may be needed to disperse and settle clippings into the turf canopy. Regulating growth to reduce clipping production may also aid both playability and agronomics.

#3 - BUNKERS: EDGING AND RAKES

There must be a distinct edge defining bunker margins for the Rules of Golf to be applied.

	Rakes should be placed outside of bunkers , but also on the away side and parallel to the intended line of play . Rakes should not be placed between a bunker and a putting green .

Please note that a bunker is a bunker . The term "low maintenance" or "waste" added to " bunker " changes nothing. If there is a desire to have a low-maintenance or waste area, where clubs can be grounded and loose impediments removed, eliminate any descriptive tie to the word bunker . Design adjustments may also be needed - bunkers are prepared areas; natural sandy areas are not!

#2 - TEE MAINTENANCE AND MARKER PLACEMENT

The teeing ground is the starting place for the hole to be played. This means it must be clearly defined and free of interferences. The surface should be smooth and firm, and there should be no surrounding obstructions, trees, or other plant growth compromising full access. Depending upon the size of the mowed surface and the hole design, markers (the outside edge of which defines the front and sides of the teeing ground ) will commonly be placed five to six paces apart. They should be positioned so that a perpendicular line off the middle of the straight line between the two markers aligns with the hole's centerline; incorrect alignment can lead to a player accidentally hitting from outside the teeing ground (penalty of disqualification unless corrected - Rule 11). The depth of the teeing ground is two club-lengths. Full access allows a player to stand outside the teeing ground to play a ball within. A ball is within the teeing ground when any part of it touches the teeing ground . Considering both right- and left-handed players, an adequate margin must be maintained for stance and swing. Markers should be moved regularly and systematically (usually daily or between stipulated rounds as authorized by the Committee ). A player cannot legally move markers for the purpose of realigning them or to avoid interference from them (Decision 11-2/2).

As a side note, there are occasions when architecture prevents the allowed two club-length depth and ability to stand outside the teeing ground when playing a ball within. Design issues that compromise the Rules and course maintenance are topics for another article.

#1 - COURSE MARKING

Detailed manicuring does not compensate for improper marking. The margins of a water hazard must be clear and precise, and encircle the hazard.

. Incomplete - not enough stakes, or missing painted lines.

. Inability to site between stakes or along painted lines due to tall grass, brush, and/or tree growth. This can make it difficult to determine where a ball last crossed the margin of a hazard and to then drop and play a ball.

. Excessive use of red for lateral water hazard marking when some should be yellow ( water hazard ) or white ( out of bounds ).

. Incorrect marking of desert, rough, or wooded areas as a lateral water hazard when the area does not meet the definition of a water hazard (Decision 33-8/35).

. A Committee -declared environmentally sensitive area when such a distinction must come from an appropriate authority (i.e., a government agency or the like).

. Excessive or inadequate ground-under-repair marking. The most common issue is marking that is excessive and/or inconsistent. Tour the course carefully before marking and then be consistent. Avoid marking what is well out in the rough. Casual water is not ground under repair . Damage next to a cart path should normally be tied into the path ( obstruction ). When in doubt, miss on the no-paint side.

. Incorrect positioning of ball drops (i.e., putting green side of a water hazard ).

CONCLUSION

To move away from the identified mistakes and to eliminate compartmentalizing, there must be good communication within the maintenance department and between the superintendent and other key staff at the course. A clear understanding of responsibilities will set the stage for confidently moving forward. It's common for the golf professional and pro shop staff to take the lead in determining how the course will be marked and oversee the initial marking, with the maintenance staff then expected to keep the marking fresh and clear. Nonetheless, whether your course follows this model or utilizes a different approach, in the final analysis course maintenance and setup are the superintendent's responsibilities and as such he/she should ensure that The Rules of Golf are in fact guiding maintenance activities. Knowing the Rules and applying them to the art and science of golf course maintenance will elevate credibility and present the full challenge of the game.

REFERENCES

The Rules of Golf, 2006-2007, copyright 2005 by the United States Golf Association.

Decisions on The Rules of Golf, 2006-2007, copyright 2005 by the United States Golf Association.

Author's Note:Thanks to all of the USGA staff who participated in the survey upon which this article is based. Special thanks to Jeff Hall and Tim Moraghan for their input.

Bob Brame is the director of the USGA Green Section's North Central Region, where he visits courses in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.